Method and apparatus for accessing a sealed container

(19)

(11)

EP 0 884 575 A3

(12)	EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88)	Date of publication A3:
	09.06.1999 Bulletin 1999/23

(43)	Date of publication A2:
	16.12.1998 Bulletin 1998/51

(21)	Application number: 98304267.2

(22)	Date of filing: 29.05.1998

(51)	International Patent Classification (IPC)⁶: G01N 1/00

(84)	Designated Contracting States:
	AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE
	Designated Extension States:
	AL LT LV MK RO SI

(30)

Priority:

29.05.1997 US 864829

(71)	Applicant: MEDICAL LABORATORY AUTOMATION, INC.
	Pleasantville, NY 10570-2982 (US)

(72)	Inventors:
	McCandless, William Ringwood, New Jersey 0756 (US) Lovette, Spencer Katonah, New York 10536 (US) Lopez, Hugo Connecticut 06805 (US) De Santo, Arthur Connecticut 06804-1616 (US)

(74)	Representative: Valentine, Francis Anthony Brinsley et al
	REDDIE & GROSE 16 Theobalds Road London WC1X 8PL London WC1X 8PL (GB)

(54)	Method and apparatus for accessing a sealed container

(57) A method and apparatus are provided for accessing a sealed container (12), and in particular a sealed container which is at a pressure other than atmospheric and which generally contains blood or other bodily fluid. A piercer (60) and a probe (62) are provided which are mounted to a XYZ positioning mechanism (30) and are controlled such that the piercer (60) passes through a stopper or seal (14) of the container (12), forming a cut therein through which the probe (62) may subsequently enter the container. A foot mechanism (64, 66, 68) is provided which is held against the stopper or seal for the container during piercer or probe removal for stripping purposes and through which the probe and piercer pass, the size and shape of the foot (68) bing such that for both piercing and probing operations, it is over only a single container (12). The piercer (60) and probe (62) are operated such that the one not being used is in each instance in a raised position relative to the one being used. A lubrication station is provided in which the piercer is dipped prior to use to facilitate the piercing operation, to coat the cut and to minimize stopper debris. A wash station is also provided.

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